Seven accuses Endemol and Nine of using My Kitchen Rules ‘bible’ to make The Hotplate
The Seven and Nine Networks kicked-off a high-profile legal case this morning with the court being asked to prevent Nine from continuing to broadcast its reality cooking show The Hotplate.
The Hotplate’s judges Pickett and Parker Bowles
Seven’s lawyer Richard Lancaster SC today told Justice John Nicholas in the Federal Court that Nine has deliberately sought to imitate the format of its highly successful My Kitchen Rules show, and claimed production company Endemol had managed to obtain a copy of the MKR production “bible” for the show.
“MKR has been such a successful show and (Nine) will say that it is an original format but there is no specific denial that they were not aware of the format of the show”, Lancaster told the court.
“(They) are attacking the success of the show.”
It later emerged in court Endemol had access to the show’s ‘bible’ as the international distribution partners for the format’s rights for Seven.
The Federal Court today heard accusations that the production company Endemol had managed to obtain a copy of the MKR production “bible” – a high confidential document used to create and develop the show and its format, on a scene by scene basis.
“Endemol has a copy of the production bible,” said Lancaster. “This is access to the literary work – the production bible.
Seven’s legal case is built on the claim that Nine and Endemol have substantially copied the format, style and production techniques of MKR.
In response Nine noted that while MKR is filmed in contestants’ homes Hotplate take place in professional restaurants.
Seven’s SC Lancaster responded to this today telling the court: “The change in venue is a mere variation, which is apparent to any viewer.”
“The drama is having your competitors and the judges coming to your domain for the purposes of judging you, your food and the presentation of your food,” said Lancaster.
“It is not an ordinary dinner party.”
MKR’s judges Manu Fieldel and Pete Evans
Seven has claimed that Endemol and Nine followed the timing and structure of the MKR courses and scoring.
“There is the judging of the menu… if the balance of the menu can be achieved, or disaster is looming, or whether it will be delicious.”
Lancaster also acknowledged the cost to Nine if it is forced to pull The Hotplate off-air saying there is “no doubt” there have been expenses on an advertising campaign but that the TV network would find a replacement show for the prime 7.30pm weeknight slot.
“The network will go on, there will be a replacement program,” added Lancaster.
Nine and Endemol both declined to comment on the allegation they had obtained the MKR production bible but are expected to address this issue when they present their argument to the court later today.
The legal action comes as Seven has moved to scale back the number of episodes of Restaurant Revolution from four a week to two and as senior media buyers criticised both TV networks for lacking originality and arguing the head to head reality cooking formats fail to give viewers sufficient choice.
The case continues.
Updated: The judge has reserved his judgement declining to grant Seven an injunction for tonight or tomorrow night’s shows.
Nic Christensen
If Seven really believe this, will they take all their formats from Endemol Shine who currently distribute internationally?
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If Seven isn’t granted the injunction they’ve just ensured every MKR viewer will switch on to Hotplate. This could be a game changing loss for Seven
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Is it just me or does Pickett look like a fat Manu?
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Seven have a history of stealing format beats from successful shows and making them in house.
MKR was a rip off of Come Dine With Me and Masterchef.
Look at the MKR kitchen, it’s tone , palate and not mention the logo.
Million Dollar Minute was taking format beats from Sale Of The Century and many other game shows.
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Doesn’t their distribution division hold the international sales rights? If so, they always had the bible.
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Hi Erm,
That’s correct, the story has been updated after that was made clear in court this afternoon.
Cheers,
Alex – editor, Mumbrella
Print and TV are dead. When I watch Netflix, I don’t have reality TV shite forced down my throat (unless that’s what I want) and that is about as sweet as it gets. Content is king again, unable to be enslaved by the media. Hurrah.
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This court action promises to be just as tedious as both shows!
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Unlikely a Judge will take a program off the air , if copyright is deemed to have been infringed that is why damages are called damages
Nine win publicity , ratings and hurt MKR – the Judge should score Seven on execution, strategy and delivery of lawsuit and that score (cue suspenseful uptempo music) should be zero
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Bill Shorten should kick-off his own legal case against Parker Bowles for stealing his image.
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Doppleganger?- I was thinking a thin Manu actually! ha ha. hot plate is a terrible show, a poor mans reality show. the food has no class, very pub style and very western suburbs presentation. come dine with me UK has better food.
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meh, who ever wins wins, something to talk about round the office at least!
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Is Seven serious?
They developed My House Rules to copy The Block’s success.
They developed MKR to copy Masterchef & Come Dine with Me.
They developed Better Homes and Gardens to copy Burkes Backyard.
They developed Today Tonight to copy A Current Affair.
They developed The Great Outdoors to copy Getaway.
They developed that flop of a show The Big Adventure to copy Survivor.
Seven should remember that when you point the finger there is always 4 fingers pointing back.
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The only piece of “originality” seven is demonstrating is the chutzpah of taking legal action claiming they had a spread of an original idea for anyone to steal!
Geeze the old dinosaurs of FTA are funny guys.
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….. Shread…. of an original idea.
Autocorrect. Strikes again……
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This is so funny. It’s like 2 teenage girls who both tong their hair then each accuses the other of ‘stealing my style’. 7 and 9 were the cool kids in school last century and we know what happens to the cool kids…
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